You Voted: The Best New Burger

After fantastic voter turnout, the readers’ choice award for palmbeachillustrated.com’s Best Burger Challenge has been chosen. Boca Raton’s Kapow! Noodle Bar’s Korean Sliders have taken top billing, with Tequesta’s Hog Snappers Shack & Sushi’s Caribbean Burger coming in a close second.

The Korean Sliders are a great East meets West take on the classic burger. The mini burger patty proudly boasts the Stars and Stripes, made from Florida grass-fed cattle, while the spicy slaw bed and piping-hot, fluffy steam bun counters with some strong Asian tastes. The sliders are full of opposing flavors: The house-made pickles have a sweetness that lingers a little sour and the steam buns have an underlying harmony that is reminiscent of a subdued King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls. The cole slaw is crunchy and spicy, keeping everything in check. The patty is just right, not overly complicated or overly seasoned, simply prepared how a burger should be. This cultural mosaic of a burger hits on proper balance and is a great bite to share.

Kapow! is leading a new wave of hipness in Boca’s Mizner Park, an American gastro-pub in the guise of an izakaya (Japanese bistro). Although, hip is a bit of an understatement when stepping in the door; the southern wall’s mural resembles a giant scenic tattoo (appropriately commissioned by Lake Worth tattoo artist Mike "Pooch" Pucciarelli), complete with steaming bowl of noodles. The bar is just as inventive as the kitchen, with a rotating seasonal cocktail menu (there is even specialty weekend cocktails), bespoke and boutique spirits and an impressive craft beer menu. And what would an Asian-American fusion restaurant concept be without a flush sake menu? Not much. But Kapow! covers those bases, too, and then some.

There is little doubt why Kapow! Noodle Bar took top billing in our readers’ choice; the place does everything with acumen and aplomb. From the food and drink down to the physical design of the space, Kapow! is thorough and practiced and, quite frankly, one hell of a good time—if happy hour and late night crowds were a mark of Michelin’s Red Guide, Kapow! would certainly be a three-star recipient.

Get a taste of the readers’ choice and try Kapow! Noodle Bar’s Korean Sliders now.